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Find a co-founder for your video game studio

Starting a game studio means bringing together very different crafts, programming, game design, art direction, sound, writing and production, and most independent studios are born from a small group of partners who cover the essentials between them.

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In short

To find a co-founder in video games, define the game you want to make (genre, platform, scope), identify the key skill missing between programming, game design, art and production, publish your project for free on EasyCofounder with a prototype or visuals, then build a playable demo together before formalising the partnership.

Beyond making the game, a studio also has to think about publishing, the player community, funding and the business model, whether that means selling the game, working with a publisher or offering a free-to-play game with in-app purchases. A partner comfortable with these topics is a valuable complement to a very creative team.

On EasyCofounder, describe your concept, the target platform and the state of your prototype, state the role and equity on offer, then talk to programmers, artists, game designers and producers looking for a game project to join.

The UK and Ireland have long-established game development communities, from large studios to small indie teams, and many studios are founded by people who met at university courses, game jams or a previous studio, then decided to ship a smaller game of their own.

Beyond the core trio of code, art and design, a new studio benefits from a partner who handles the business side: platform submissions, store pages, publisher negotiations, marketing beats, community management on Discord and social media, and the contracts that protect the studio’s rights.

Building a Video games startup: what matters

  • Start with a playable demo

    A short, playable prototype is more convincing than a design document, whether you are recruiting a partner, approaching a publisher or testing player interest.

  • Ownership of the work

    Code, art, music and the game world must clearly belong to the studio, and a written assignment of rights with every partner and contributor avoids deadlocks when it is time to publish.

  • Sector-specific support

    Several countries, France among them, offer dedicated support for game development, such as public creation funds and tax credits under conditions. Check your eligibility with a professional.

  • Tax reliefs and funding

    The UK supports games through creative industry tax reliefs and Ireland through a digital games tax credit, under conditions that have changed in recent years, so check your eligibility with an accountant who knows the sector before building your budget on them.

  • Business models

    Premium sales on PC and consoles, a publishing deal with an advance, free-to-play with in-game purchases, work-for-hire for other studios to fund your own title, or subscription and platform deals, many indie studios combine several of them.

  • Where developers meet

    Ukie, the UK games industry body, Develop:Brighton, EGX, Imirt in Ireland and the Global Game Jam are well-known places to meet programmers, artists and producers, alongside local indie meetups and game development degree courses.

Find your co-founder in 4 steps

  1. 1

    Create your free profile

    Describe your skills, your availability and what you bring to a founding team.

  2. 2

    Publish your project

    Say which role you are looking for (CTO, CEO, CMO…), the commitment expected and the equity on offer, in Video games.

  3. 3

    Let the matching work

    Filter talent by skill and location, or get suggestions of compatible profiles from the AI matching.

  4. 4

    Talk, then meet

    Chat through the built-in messaging, test your collaboration on a first project and put your agreement in writing in a shareholders’ agreement.

Frequently asked questions

Which profiles do I need to start an indie studio?

Usually a programmer, an artist and someone who owns game design or production. Each partner can cover several roles at first, as long as no skill essential to the game you have in mind is missing.

Can we make a game with remote co-founders?

Yes, many indie teams work remotely with version control and regular check-ins, provided roles, deadlines and ownership of the content produced are clearly set.

How should equity be split in a game studio?

According to each person’s commitment, time and contributions, with vesting so that the studio is protected if a partner leaves before the game ships.

Where can I find a co-founder for a game project?

Publish your project for free on EasyCofounder with your concept and visuals, then extend your search to game jams, industry events and game development schools.

Should a new studio sign with a publisher?

A publisher can bring funding, marketing and platform relationships in exchange for a share of revenue and sometimes rights, so compare offers carefully and have the contract reviewed by a lawyer who knows games before signing.

What should a studio agreement between co-founders cover?

Ownership of the code, art and intellectual property, decision-making on scope and release, revenue sharing, vesting and what happens if someone leaves before launch, ideally written down before the prototype becomes valuable.

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